Can A Baseball Cap Go In The Washing Machine?

Yes, it's true, once again we are going to go through the proper methods for washing baseball caps. Why is this information such a popular topic? It seems that no matter how many times we stress the importance of proper hat care, someone always comes forward with either a damaged hat or questions about the best way to care for their hats. Specifically, we are going to refer to baseball caps here. Caring for dress hats is a completely different topic altogether!

First things first – we do not recommend simply throwing your favorite baseball cap into the washing machine.

People Love Their Baseball Caps

Because baseball caps are so popular, they get worn a lot. Sadly, they can become a sweaty, dirty mess as a result. During extended beach days, summer hikes, or yardwork, your hat can take the kind of abuse that makes it far worse for the wear. If you want to don that hat again at the beach, to the game, or on your next outing of any kind, you're going to have to clean it. The better you take care of your hat, the better chance you stand of having it last for years.

Mild Dirt Versus Down and Dirty

If your hat is only slightly dirty, it may need nothing more than a fast soak in the sink. You'll have to pump up the volume on your cleaning power, however, for more serious sweat stains and such. Let's start out with a mild cleaning method.

The Fast Clean

 To just give your baseball cap a quick refreshing, follow these steps:

• Fill a basin or sink with cool water.
• Add a tiny bit of mild laundry detergent (maybe two drops max).
• Create some suds by agitating the hat in the water.
• For five or 10 minutes, let the hat soak.
• With cool water, rinse the hat thoroughly after you remove it from the wash water.
• To get access water out, gently squeeze the hat. DON'T TWIST THE BRIM!
• Pat the hat down with a clean towel.
• Reshape the hat.
• Either hang it up or set it on a towel for drying.

Deep Cleaning

Depending on how sensitive your skin is, you may wish to wear gloves for this method:

• Fill a basin or sink with clean, cool water.
• With OxiClean, or some other color safe detergent, add the directed amount to your wash water.
• To problem areas (spots and stains), apply a bit of detergent after dipping the hat into the water. Gently scrub the area with a soft toothbrush.
• For about one hour, let the hat soak in your cleaning solution.
• Check for successful stain removal and re-wash/scrub the area if necessary.
• With clean, cool water, rinse the hat.
• Follow the above-stated drying methods.

Note: If you have a cardboard brim on your baseball cap, you will not be able to fully submerge it. This is the case with many vintage hats. The cardboard cannot get wet!

Did Your Favorite Cap Get Ruined?

If you ruined your favorite baseball cap by washing it incorrectly – or you lost it, it got stolen, or was damaged some other way – we've got good news. At Hat Heaven, we have an impressive inventory. Chances are, you can find a replacement, or your new favorite hat, by browsing through our many selections.

Take a look at all Hat Heaven has to offer, today.